DOMINATIONThe ability to put forth effort is dopaminergic. The quality of that
effort can be influenced by any number of other factors, but without
dopamine, there is no effort at all.SELF-EFFICACY: DOPAMINE AND
THE POWER OF CONFIDENCEA bacon-flavored Bioserve treat may be all it takes to motivate a rat,
but humans are more complicated. We need to believe we can succeed
before we are able to succeed. This influences tenacity. We have greater
tenacity when we encounter early success. Some weight-loss programs
help you lose six or seven pounds in the first few weeks. They plan it this
way because they know that if you begin with no more than a pound
or two loss in that time, you are likely to drop out. They know you are
more likely to stick with it if you see that you are capable of doing it.
Scientists call this self-efficacy.
Drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine boost dopamine, and one
result is an increase in self-efficacy, often to pathological levels. People
who abuse these drugs may confidently take on so many projects that it
is impossible to complete them all. Heavy users may even develop gran-
diose delusions. With no evidence whatsoever they may believe they
will write the most brilliant treatise ever produced, or invent a device
that will solve the world’s problems.
Under normal circumstances, robust self-efficacy is a valuable asset.
Sometimes it can act like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Having a confident
expectation of success can make obstacles melt before your eyes.